Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. People look forward to cookouts, fireworks, and having a three day weekend. Children and teachers are rejoicing because Memorial Day means the end of the school year has arrived or is eminent. It is easy to get wrapped up in the celebration and forget the reason for the holiday.

​Memorial Day is really about remembering the men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives in defense of this nation. This weekend, we are mindful of those who sacrificed their lives so that we can enjoy freedom. Many of those who died in the active service never lived to see thirty. Their lives were cut short for the sake of our enduring freedom.

This is also a good opportunity to remember faithful soldiers in the Lord’s army who have been called from labor to reward. Hebrews 13:7 encourages us to remember those who led us and spoke the word of God to us. They taught us that true freedom is found in Christ. Those leaders who were faithful until the end serve as an example for us to follow. Those who taught us the ways of the Lord and encouraged us to be more like Jesus, should inspire us to be fully committed to God. When we think about the result of their lifestyle, we soon discover that we would do well to follow in their footsteps.

There is a reward that awaits those who imitate the faith of dedicated leaders who are now resting from their labors. In Hebrews 11, the writer highlights the faithfulness of those Old Testament saints. We should be inspired by Able and Enoch. We should grow by examining the faith of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah. We should reflect on the dedication of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. We learn from the word that men and women of long ago gained approval from God by their faith.

But we don’t have to go that far back to be inspired. Those who taught us the word of God also demonstrated to us that the just shall live by faith. Countless men and women of faith who touched our lives and impacted our journey. Ministers, shepherds, deacons, and teachers who are no longer with us, but through faith, though they are dead, they still speak. Our faithfulness today honors the legacy of faithfulness of those who have gone before us and leaves a legacy for those who are coming after us.